Magic (1978) More at IMDbPro »

Anthony Hopkins (with hair) plays Corky, an earnest but failed magician who spices up his act with a ventriloquist dummy called Fats, after which he rises to almost fame.....and when his manager asks that he have a medical exam before a big network TV thing he refuses on principle. He also takes Fats and disappears into upstate NY to a small run-down cabin on the property of a woman (Ann Margaret) who he had a crush on in high school. His manager (Burgess Meredith) manages to find him though, and walks in on him while he's providing good reason why he won't take a medical exam; Corky has blown his cork, and can't function without Fats. Of course, such a revelation can't get out to the world so the manager doesn't have any opportunity to tell anyone. Things are further complicated by the return of Ann Margaret's hubby (Ed Lauter) and of course at that point Corky and Fats are very busy. This is both creepy and sad, because Corky is a likable character despite the fact that he's obviously wacko, and he was so shy in high school that he never had a chance with Ann Margaret, and now he doesn't have a chance because of his condition. Fats is obviously a caricature of Corky himself, not to mention an extension of his personality, and not the good side. Fats is also rather creepy. This is a well done film and also somewhat forgotten when it comes to the "classics". The Dark Sky DVD is quite good and a big thanks to them for getting the rights to put this out. 8 out of 10.